Domestic energy consumption and climate change mitigation

Abstract

the country (Reinders et al., 2003). Therefore, to address the issue of climate change mitigation via household consumption, it is necessary to expand our focus beyond direct energy use.A major source of indirect energy consumption comes from food consumption. Recent studies indicate that the proportion of energy use dedicated to food production is substantial. For example, estimates of total U.S. energy used to produce food range from 8-16% (Canning, 2010;Cuéllar & Webber, 2010) depending on how the boundaries are drawn around the energy input analysis of the food (i.e., higher estimates include energy used by consumers who drive to buy food; Cuéllar & Webber, 2010). The opportunity for reductions in indirect energy consumption via food has also garnered more attention as empirical research has documented that developed nations waste 13-25% of food brought into the home. Environmental groups such as World Resources Institute and Natural Resources Defense Council have begun to focus on food systems, including consumption, as a realm to target for reducing waste and shifting consumption for greenhouse gas reductions.Households can make significant contributions to climate change mitigation through efficiency and curtailment behaviors for both direct and indirect energy emissions (Gardner & Stern, 2008). Efficiency behaviors are actions or measures that result in less energy being used for a given level of energy service (e.g., insulating a building, installing light-emitting diodes [LEDs]). Direct energy efficiency behaviors typically involve the one-off purchase and installation of an appliance or device, and imply a financial cost (e.g., home retrofits, energy efficient appliances). For indirect efficiency behaviors, such as food consumption, this means choosing food that has been produced using less energy intensive means (i.e., climate friendly agriculture) or switching to foods that provide similar nutritional value (i.e., calories or protein content) with fewer greenhouse gas impacts. Curtailment behaviors are actions that result in less service or utility (e.g., lowering thermostat settings, switching off lights) or buying less food to avoid overeating or food waste. Direct and indirect energy curtailment behaviors tend to be low or no cost but need to be done frequently to achieve energy savings (e.g., lowering thermostat settings, switching off lights, and purchasing smaller portions of food) and can involve the loss of amenity associated (e.g., less heating, less lighting, and less calories). In this overview, we include research on direct household energy (i.e., gas, electricity, and fuel use) for the provision of useful services (e.g., lighting, heating) and conservation efforts to provide insights into how this may apply (or not apply) to addressing indirect energy use, specifically food, in households.Evidence suggests that there is potential for households to reduce direct and indirect domestic energy use. A recent survey of U.S. households indicates that greenhouse gas emissions from household dire...

Global population‐weighted degree‐day projections for a combination of climate and socio‐economic scenarios

“…The presented population‐weighted degree‐day projections will be hosted by the European Commission's Data Risk Hub (https://drmkc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/risk-data-hub). Being aware of the assumptions and uncertainties discussed in previous sections, our results could be used by policy makers and stakeholders to implement strategies to optimize the energy used to keep thermal indoor comfort (Collins et al ., 2010; Ren et al ., 2010; Yang et al ., 2014) and possibly mitigate the increasing demand (Abrahamse and Shwom, 2018).…”

Occupant behaviour as a fourth driver of fuel poverty (aka warmth & energy deprivation)

“…The use of public spaces and amenities such as libraries as social spaces (Herrera-Viedman and Lopez-Gijon, 2013), also influences domestic energy consumption and susceptibility to fuel poverty. Social engagement around climate change, awareness of social norms, and information on environmental and climate change impacts of energy saving are partly a product of social activity and influential upon energy conservation (Lorenzi et al, 2007; Abrahamse and Shwom, 2018; Abrahamse et al, 2007).…”

Leading Approaches to Energy Solutions in the 21st Century

“…One would probably agree with the fact that the main drivers of energy and power sector in the 21 st century are climate change mitigation, population change, and radical technological change (Coates 2016;Abrahamse and Shwom 2018). Climate change also affects the energy needs and performance of the energy infrastructure.…”